Molly’s Vision for Seniors Celebrating 30 Years

Before she passed away in 1985, Isobel ‘Molly’ Browne was constantly approached to sell farmland in Highfields on which she lived. However, the former school teacher was steadfast that her family property, near Toowoomba, be used for a retirement village and nursing home.

In her will, she bequeathed her 120-acre property to the Baptist Union of Queensland, to be developed into what is now the Carinity Brownesholme seniors’ community.

All that remained of the dairy farm in 1992 was the house, two sheds, bore, windmill and cattle trough. The old farmhouse, in near disrepair, was sold to Barry and Joan Barwick. They relocated the building to Cabarlah and spent two decades undertaking a painstaking restoration of the 145-year-old house, returning
the dwelling to its near original state.

The first part of Molly’s dream for a home for seniors set on her land became a reality in 1995 when Brownesholme retirement village’s first resident, Gloria Phillips, moved into her independent living unit.

A few years later, Ruth Baxter moved to Brownesholme from her hobby farm near Clifton. She is the longest residing current member of the retirement village where “everyone is a friend”.

“I heard about this place before it was even built. There were cattle across the road when I first came here,” Ruth said.

“I love being here, it’s so nice and peaceful. I love the birds, the wildlife and the gardens. If anything goes wrong, it gets sorted out. I’m very lucky.”

Fellow resident Ian Grey also enjoys the serenity of the peaceful village which has witnessed a burgeoning suburb grow up around it.

“I have seen enormous growth in Highfields, and I’m still amazed at how it’s booming now,” Ian said.

“It’s ideally situated, this village, and I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. What I enjoy most is the friendship and the companionship of all the people here, and the kindness they show to me.”

Molly Browne’s vision for care for all seniors was fully realised in 2021, when Carinity Brownesholme aged care was opened near the retirement village. It has enabled Joyce Larkens to remain living in the same community she knows and loves – and stay connected to friends from the retirement village in which she used to live.

Joyce moved to Brownesholme 25 years ago – and has never wanted to leave. She found comfort knowing her retirement village is co-located with the aged care home – and that additional support would be available should she need it. That moment arrived two years ago.

“I am very grateful to the lovely, kind and efficient staff. They all look after us very well. The food is very good … and the entertainment keeps us busy and happy,” Joyce said.

Some of Joyce’s neighbours from the retirement village have since moved from their independent living units to the aged care community – and they continue to enjoy their cherished friendships.

Molly Browne would have wanted it that way.

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